Be Part Of A Mega Aquaculture Project That Will Become The Next High Profile Commodity

Seaweed cultivation is one of Malaysia's fastest growing sectors and is strongly supported by the government.

In the 9th Malaysian's Development Plan, Sabah was mandated by the government to produce 250,000 metric ton seaweeds yearly by 2010. Currently, the state managed to produce 40,000 to 50,000 metric ton yearly only.

The founder of this project, Dato' Seri Dr Chong had been appointed as the Director of Yayasan Bakti Khidmat Masyarakat Malaysia (YBKMM) in Sabah and recently won the Asia Promising Entrepreneur Award (APEA) 2009. His appointment in YBKMM has earned the support from the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia to diversify in seaweed cultivation, more so in the state of Sabah.

The international market is short of supply due to only up to 30% being produced for the world market. So far, South Korea, Mexico, Philippines, China and Japan are countries producing quality seaweed being ranked 15-30 pts for world market while seaweed produced in Sabah is ranked 30-45 pts.

Numerous annual production cycle. From planting till harvesting will take 45 to 60 days only. Thus volume will be substantial.

The technical director of this project is the chairman of Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Semporna for 17 years and an expert in seaweed cultivation. He's also an advisor to many agricultural institute in Malaysia. Experienced and a researcher in seaweed farming with conventional methods to modern technologies.

The managing director of this project is a Chartered Institute of Management (CIMA) and MBA degree holder. Has over 20 years in finance, accounts, human resource, administration and operation. Actively involved in seaweed cultivation and research work since 2002.

Collaboration with Sirim Bhd to provide the latest drying technique of seaweed to increase production during rainy seasons and UMS (Universiti Malaysia Sabah) to research seaweed for their potential usage as it contains high nutritional values.

We will be investing per lot of USD6,000 with certificate of guarantee. Each lot will be getting annual guarantee buy back value for 5 consecutive years. This project is abide by a legal agreement and a RM30mil insurance by Lloyd's syndicate.

1st year buy back = USD1,225

2nd year buy back = USD1,960

3rd year buy back = USD2,695

4th year buy back = USD2,695

5th year maturity buy back bonus = USD6,125

Total return for 5 years = USD14,700Phase I SOLD OUT!

The objective of this project is to take advantage of the high demand of seaweed industry. It also helps to improve the ecological environment of coastal waters & bring employment opportunities to coastal dwellers.

It's a business ownership project. Once we've invested, we can build a network of investors and generate additional income as in Referral System & Lifetime Royalty bonus for future projects being introduced.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) - Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has outlined three economic concepts in an effort to lay a stronger foundation for the country in facing the faltering economy.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister said the concepts -- high value, innovation based economy, and productivity and creativity -- would propel the economy to greater heights.

"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has always stressed the importance of adding value, but I feel that adding value should be matched with high value economy," he said in his winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.

He said among the high value economy which could be taken up by entrepreneurs were the lucrative bird nest, seaweed and ornamental fish enterprises.

Najib said the bird nest enterprise could be carried out on idle land especially in the east coast of the peninsular while the seaweed harvest could be exported to Japan and other countries.

FELDA to venture into Seaweed

KOTA KINABALU: Felda, which is known for its vast palm oil and rubber development programmes, is now looking to the sea in its new venture.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan said Felda would be embarking on its first seaweed cultivation project in Sabah as part of its efforts to reduce poverty in the state.

“This project is also part of the Prime Minister’s vision to make Felda one of the country’s food production centres,” he said after meeting senior state Felda officials here Saturday.

Ahmad said the seaweed cultivation project would kick off in the east coast Semporna district in January with an area covering some 200ha.

“Our target is to eventually cultivate some 2,000ha of seaweed by the year 2020 and by then, this project would have benefited 1,876 hardcore poor, who will be known as sea settlers,” added Ahmad.

He said Sabah was chosen as a pioneer site for the project as some 60,000ha of coastal land in Semporna and three other districts - Lahad Datu, Kudat and Kunak - had been deemed suitable for seaweed cultivation.

Ahmad said some RM7.27mil would be invested in the project for the first year, with funds sourced from Felda’s annual contribution to the state, which was 30% of the profits generated from its 108,000ha commercial oil palm plantation in Sabah.

An advisory committee, comprising representatives from the state government, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, the Fisheries Department, the Fisheries Development Authority and Felda, would be set up to provide input for the project.

Ahmad said since 2004, Felda has contributed more than RM253mil for poverty eradication efforts in Sabah from its profits.

“About half of the amount or RM119.86mil was channeled directly to the state’s coffers while the other half was allocated to the Sabah Development Office.

“Among the poverty eradication projects carried out so far were repairs on 524 houses belonging the poor in the Kalabakan and Beaufort districts costing more than RM7mil,” he said.

SEMPORNA, June 28 (Bernama) - The seaweed industry is to be made a high-impact project in Sabah in a government move to augment the income of fishermen and raise their living standard, said Federal Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Noh Omar.

He said 102,000 hectares had been identified in Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kudat and Sandakan for the project which would be implemented soon and have initially 220 participants.

"We see a good market for seaweed in the country. The price is good and the demand exceeds supply," he told reporters after a dialogue with members of fishermen's associations in Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak and Tawau, here yesterday.

Noh said the project would be implemented by the Fisheries Department and the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) with the collaboration of the Sabah government which would provide the land.

On the request by existing seaweed processing entrepreneurs for the subsidised diesel and petrol now enjoyed by fishermen, he said it could be arranged as seaweed was also a marine resource.

Abdullah Urges Sabah To Set Up Body For Seaweed

SEMPORNA, July 24 (Bernama) - Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has suggested that Sabah set up a research and development (R&D) institute specially to study the seaweed.

He said that with such a facility the potential of the seaweed in terms of production and processing of the end products could be expanded.

There should be R&D and a research body to focus on ways to improve the quality of the seaweed and to come up with more products, he said.

"We need to have all the skills so as to augment the incomes of the people involved in the seaweed industry," he told reporters after visiting the seaweed culture centre in Look Butun, Pulau Bum-Bum near here on Thursday.

He was accompanied by his wife, Tun Jeane Abdullah, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran on the visit to the project under the Sabah Rural Development Ministry.

Abdullah said the potential of seaweed in Sabah was bright in view of the high demand and the wide use of seaweed in food, drugs and pharmaceautical products.

He said seaweed culture did not need food or fertiliser and the people were lucky that Sabah, especially the waters of Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu, was suitable for seaweed culture.

The seaweed culture project in Look Butun, which had lifted about 80 participants above the poverty line, clearly showed that it was effective in overcoming hardcore poor problem, he said.

The project was started in 2001 and now each participant earns between RM1,000 and RM1,300 a month, depending on the price fo the seaweed.

Making Sabah seaweed match Filipino quality

Papar, July 03 (Daily Express) - A total of RM350,000 has been channelled to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) this year to carry out research and development on improving seaweed cultivation in Sabah.

Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) Chairman Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail said the funding was necessary for researchers to look for the best approach and type of technology that could increase seaweed production in the State.

"Presently the production of seaweed in Sabah is very low and its quality poor and we are uncertain about the reasons for such discouraging yields.

"In fact, our nation through Sabah only produces two per cent of the export figure," he said, adding that the Philippines is the major producer of seaweed.

Rahim was speaking after after presenting cheques for almost RM53,000 to 320 secondary students from 11 schools here at a multipurpose hall on Thursday.

He said there was a need for the transfer of technology on seaweed cultivation to enable seaweed planters and fishermen to enjoy high yields.

"If such funding is insufficient, then we will continue to provide additional funding to UMS for the same purpose next year," he said, adding that the current price of seaweed in Sabah is RM7 per kg but in Semporna, the price is less than RM2 per kg.

At the function earlier, Rahim, who is also Umno Papar Divisional Chief, reminded the 320 recipients of the Sabah Foundation scholarships not to spend the money on unnecessary things.

Instead, he said, the students should make full use of the scholarship fund to better their education through the purchase of reference books and other education materials.

Rahim said the recipients must appreciate the government assistance and work hard to excel in their studies.

The annual scholarships are given to those recommended by their principals particularly those from poor and hardcore poor families.

Of the number, 161 students were new recipients while the rest were those continuing to get scholarships through Form 1 to Form Six here.

Head of Administration for the Sabah Foundation Group's South Interior Zone, Zulkhairi Haji Ismail had earlier handed over a mock cheque for the total scholarship to Rahim.

Also present were Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar and Papar Education Officer Abidin Marjan.

Tun Sakaran Marine Park

The Tun Sakaran Marine Park encompasses eight islands and is the largest marine park in Sabah . It is only marine protected area in Sabah to include private land and to cater for various types of resource use not permitted in other marine parks.

Special provisions were included in the Gazette Notice to ensure that people’s rights were guaranteed. These are as follows:

1. All registered grants or titles in all the islands shall be retained and shall not be acquired by the Government.

2. The native customary rights which exists in all islands involved is recognised and shall not be disturbed. The claimant of the native customary rights may apply for the land in accordance to section 15 and 16 of the Land Ordinance.

3. All existing graveyards areas in all islands shall be retained as Muslim graveyard and shall not be affected by this declaration. The Government shall provide an estimated allocation to fence and maintain the existing graveyard in all islands.

4. One representative of heir from each island involved shall be appointed as Trustee of Tun Sakaran Marine Park.

5. Every development made in any islands shall involve the title owner or any legally identified claimant of native customary rights in the island and the development made will not cause their land to be acquired, and

6. Any form of development made either by an individual or joint venture with a developer shall be referred to Sabah Parks for comment and approval so that it is in accordance to the tourism concept of Sabah Parks.

The management aims for the Park are to:

1. protect the environment

2. safeguard livelihoods

3. promote sustainable use of natural resources

4. encourage environmentally-sensitive developmentbuild public awareness about the importance of the Park